ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Coming off a strong performance in week two against the defending Grey Cup Champions, the Argos looked to continue that momentum as the 1-0 Calgary Stampeders visited Rogers Centre.
Coming into the game hobbled, the Stamps played without RB Jon Cornish, WR Maurice Price and WR Nik Lewis forcing the club to test their depth at their offensive skill positions. A challenge that the Stampeders were up to as the Rich Stubler and the Calgary defence kept the Argos offence at bay all night.
The Boatmen started with the ball and made quick work of the Stamps defence completing their first play for 44-yards to WR John Chiles, his longest reception of the season. After a 9-yard run by RB Jeremiah Johnson and a holding penalty by the offensive line stunted the drive, Swayze Waters connected for the first points of the game converting a 44-yard kick. 3-0 Argos. It would be a busy night for the leg of Waters.
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After the Stamps responded with a field goal of their own, the Argos got the ball back and again drove into Stamps territory but could not come away with the major. Settling again for a field goal, this time from 21-yards out. A trend that continued all night long.
Calgary would strike next on a 58-yard touchdown pass to WR Anthony Parker from QB Bo Levi Mitchell, catching the Argos off guard with a flea flicker to start the play as RB Jock Sanders took the direct snap and then threw cross field to Mitchell before unloading downfield. 10-6 Stamps.
On their next drive, the Argos drove all the way to great field goal position however, Waters missed the kick and the Stampeders grabbed some momentum.
Sanders fielded the missed kick at the back of the endzone and found some running room, taking the return up the sideline for 121-yards down to the 8-yard line, only to have back-up QB and holder Trevor Harris chase him down and make a touchdown saving tackle.
Calgary eventually punched in the ball on a TD pass from Mitchell to WR Jeff Fuller.
The score would remain as is until close to the end of the half as the Argos were able to steal some momentum off a Sanders fumbled punt. The ball was recovered by Laurier alum DB Shane Herbert and the Argos would start on offence from the 10-yard line.
Red zone issues persisted for the Boatmen and again only walked away with a field goal cutting the lead to 17-9 before the half.
The Stamps continued to roll in the second half, connecting on another touchdown pass to Jeff Fuller and extending their lead to 24-9.
A fourth Waters FG cut the Stamps lead to 24-12 but the Stamps found the end zone immediatley after, pushing their lead back to three scores to the tune of 31-12.
Waters and his leg would go back to work, this time connecting from 51-yards out for his 5th field goal of the game.
Parades matched Waters with a FG of his own, brining the Stamps lead to 34-15 with just under a ten minutes left in play.
The Argos would tack on a blocked kick but nothing else as the game ended in a 34-15 blowout for Calgary.
Week four will see the Boatmen travel to Ottawa for their first meeting with the REDBLACKS at their home opener.